MLB News

Worth noting

By
Greg JohnsMLB.com

• The Mariners' four full-season Minor League teams all opened play Thursday and there were plenty of highlights, led by catcher Mike Zunino's 3-for-4 day with a home run and triple for Triple-A Tacoma. Endy Chavez went 4-for-6 in the leadoff role and Danny Hultzen threw six innings of one-run ball on three hits with eight strikeouts in the 9-1 win over Fresno.

Taijuan Walker gave up five hits and four runs in five innings with eight strikeouts for Double-A Jackson, while right fielder Kevin Rivers ripped a grand slam and catcher Steven Baron hit an inside-the-park homer for Class A High Desert.

• The Mariners' four full-season Minor League teams all opened play Thursday and there were plenty of highlights, led by catcher Mike Zunino's 3-for-4 day with a home run and triple for Triple-A Tacoma. Endy Chavez went 4-for-6 in the leadoff role and Danny Hultzen threw six innings of one-run ball on three hits with eight strikeouts in the 9-1 win over Fresno.

Taijuan Walker gave up five hits and four runs in five innings with eight strikeouts for Double-A Jackson, while right fielder Kevin Rivers ripped a grand slam and catcher Steven Baron hit an inside-the-park homer for Class A High Desert.

• Michael Morse's four home runs in Seattle's first four games put him in some pretty rare territory. The last Major Leaguer with four home runs in his team's first four outings was Nelson Cruz for the Rangers in 2011.

The only previous Mariner to achieve the feat was Ken Griffey Jr. in 1997. The last Major Leaguer with five homers in his first five games was Chris Shelton with the Tigers in 2006.

• Tickets are still available for Monday's 7:10 p.m. PT home opener against the Astros. Gates will open at 4:40 p.m. and Seattle band Pickwick will start the pregame festivities by performing three songs -- a cover of Elvis Costello's "Pump It Up", an original tune called "Window Sill," and John Fogerty's "Centerfield".

Former Mariner Jamie Moyer will throw out the ceremonial first pitch and the national anthem will be performed by Gospel Outreach Choir.